There are four “It Takes a Spark” STEM Conferences being held across Australia in 2023. Each conference is hosted by a school that has a focus on empowering students to be extraordinary.
Three academic staff from the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT), Deputy Dean, Mechanical Engineering lecturer, and Mechanical and Civil Engineering lecturer had the opportunity to attend the STEM Conference in Perth, at Peter Carnley Anglican Community School (PCACS), on September 20, 2023 and hold workshops.
The children ranged from grade 4 to grade 10.
With the demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) talent higher than ever, organizations are faced with finding new and innovative ways to prepare the next generation of engineers, nanotechnologists, machine learning experts, aerospace technicians, and so on.
EIT’s Role
At the event EIT’s Deputy Dean Indumathi V hosted an interactive and engaging workshop called the “Track Masters” alongside Principal Rolling Stock Engineer from PTA and the Chair of the Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA) – WA chapter, Michelle Tan.
EIT’s Mechanical Engineering lecturer Dr Arti Siddhpura and Mechanical and Civil Engineering lecturer Dr Milind Siddhpura also joined the “It Takes a Spark” STEM Conference and hosted an innovative, engaging, and fun workshop called the “Marshmallow Skyscrapers”.
Both workshops, inspired by a desire to instill an interest in engineering among school-aged children, brought together eager learners from various backgrounds.
Besides showcasing engineering as a potential career pathway through fun activities, EIT also sponsored a scholarship for this event.
“It was great to see that there were students who came from as far away as Mt Barker (5 hours’ drive away from Perth)”, said V.
Track Masters Workshop
The Track Masters session, a highly sought-after event involving 18 students from diverse backgrounds, was expertly orchestrated by Ms. V in her dual roles as Deputy Dean at EIT and as a member of the RTSA, WA chapter.
Collaborating with M. Tan, the event’s aim was clear: students were tasked with the challenge of constructing a robust and towering track for a selected train model, employing only cardboard, pop sticks, matchsticks, glue, and tape.
Teams, embarked on a friendly competition to build the longest track within a set time limit.
What appeared as a deceptively simple endeavor required students to put to put civil and structural fundamentals into practice, providing them with valuable insights into the world of engineering.
“I used to think that I didn’t have any potential in this area of learning but now I think everyone has potential if they set a goal and work for it”, said a student.
Beyond the structural achievements, the challenge emphasized the core values of teamwork, problem-solving, and innovative thinking. This emphasis on collaboration and creativity not only instilled crucial life skills but also introduced students to the captivating realm of engineering.
Marshmallow Skyscrapers Workshop
“The Marshmallow Skyscrapers workshop was fully booked out by students from various schools and had 25 attendees in total”, said M. Siddhpura.
M. Siddhpura and A. Siddhpura tasked students with constructing a tall and stable structure using only spaghetti and marshmallows.
The teams competed to build the tallest structure within a set time frame. This seemingly simple task required students to plan, design and apply engineering fundamentals.
The winning team built a 60 cm (about 1.97 ft) tall tower with the limited resources provided to them.
The choice of this challenge was deliberate. It was not just about building structures; it was about teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking. By encouraging collaboration and innovation, the challenge served as an excellent team-building activity while introducing students to the exciting world of engineering.
“I understand that science is so much more than just about scientists, and I can enter a path or career that involves science, and I can solve world problems”, said one of the students.
While the workshop itself was a hit, a highlight of the conference was the opportunity to visit various expo stalls and interact with professionals from the engineering industry, said A. Siddhpura. Meeting new people, exploring cutting-edge technologies, and witnessing real-world applications of engineering principles left a lasting impact on the attendees, added M. Siddhpura.
Impact on Youth
The conference had a profound impact on the youth who participated.
Engaging in hands-on workshop activities like “Track Masters” and “Marshmallow Skyscrapers” stimulated a keen interest in STEM fields. It allowed students to experience the excitement of engineering firsthand, potentially shaping their career choices in the future.
V added, “The workshops were inspired by the idea of showcasing engineering as a career option to school-aged children through fun hands-on activities.”
The Bigger Picture
Events such as this serve as a reminder of the importance of organized efforts by institutions and societies to nurture the talents of young minds.
It is crucial to promote and organize such conferences and workshops to ensure that the world continues to have a highly skilled and motivated workforce in the field of engineering.
The “Track Masters” and “Marshmallow Skyscrapers” workshops at PCACS were a significant step in inspiring the engineers of tomorrow.
Introducing young learners to the world of engineering through practical challenges and networking opportunities, left an indelible mark on their journey towards becoming the innovators and problem solvers of the future.
“It has given me inspiration and more confidence in my ability and made me feel it’s really good to dream big”, said one of the students.
